The count of surrendered babies also could be flawed. State officials say glitches in reporting explain some differences.

Locally, few counties sink money into promotion or identify safe surrender sites beyond hospitals.

An exception is Tulare County, where a young mother allegedly abandoned three infants in an Orosi neighborhood in 2005 and 2006. One baby died and the mother will stand trial on charges of murder and child abandonment.

County supervisors later designated more than two dozen fire stations as safe surrender sites.

In Fresno County, the law gets little consistent attention or money. The county Web page lists only statewide information about the program and doesn't include local telephone numbers for information about safe surrender.

Local authorities don't even agree which sites in Fresno County are officially designated as safe surrender sites.

Many fire stations in Fresno County will accept safe surrenders, even though they have not been formally authorized by the county. Last November, for example, city firefighters in northwest Fresno took in a newborn boy.

The baby was in safe hands. But, under the law, the parent should have been offered a coded bracelet -- in case they want to reclaim the baby -- and a health questionnaire. City fire stations haven't had those items to give.

About 20 CalFire and Fresno County Fire Protection District stations go further, advertising themselves as safe surrender sites. Fire Capt. Chris Christopherson said officials put together kits with a bracelet and medical questionnaire, along with a sign that shows the "Safe Haven" logo.

Huerta, the director of Children and Family Services, said the county needs to clearly identify designated sites, ensure that they are properly equipped and arrange training on the law for the employees.

Both Huerta and Anderson, the Board of Supervisors' chairwoman, said they would welcome the help of a nonprofit organization to bring more attention to the program.

Esther Franco, executive director of the nonprofit Fresno Council on Child Abuse Prevention, said child welfare agencies are simply overwhelmed.

Her three-person agency is focused on other issues, such as shaken baby syndrome and drug addicted parents -- a family problem that often leads to abused and neglected children.

"When you look at child abuse, I want to concentrate on prevention and family planning. Safe surrender was a specific solution to a very specific problem of baby dumping," Franco said.

There is evidence in nearby counties that partnerships, and publicity, may encourage use of the program.

In Kern County, 10 babies have been surrendered under the program. Barbara Zimmermann, executive coordinator of the county's human services department, said about half have been given up at fire stations.

The county's outreach effort includes presentations to county staffers and hospital officials and a public information campaign funded by a nonprofit. The county has 70 designated safe surrender sites.

"It's very important for people to know that there is an alternative," she said.

In San Joaquin County -- roughly two-thirds the population of Fresno County -- 21 babies have been safely surrendered, including six last year.

The Tracy Women's Club, a nonprofit group in San Joaquin County, volunteered to help promote the law and sought grant funding to pay for it.

The club put ads on city buses, mailed pamphlets to local clinics and pushed the Board of Supervisors to add fire stations as designated drop-off sites.

Jean Shipman, longtime club member, said the partnership made sense: "Babies and women go together. You hear the statistics of babies being dumped off like that, in unsafe places. ... There's no reason for that."

Dave Erb, deputy director of Children's Services for the county, credits the women's club for getting out the word.

Since the state hasn't provided money to publicize the program, he said, "we're just fortunate the Tracy Women's Club is doing it for free."